Body:

Since the beginning of 2005, Boeing workers in Newcastle, New South Wales have been trying to negotiate a contract to cover wages and employment conditions. Although these employees are part of the Australia Workers' Union (AWU), for years Boeing has
given individual, not collective, contracts regarding wages and employment conditions.

Twenty-seven Newcastle aircraft maintenance workers have been on strike since June 2005 demanding a collective contract with the AWU. The federal government has responded, stating "all Australian workers, including these AWU members at Boeing, will
always have the right to negotiate a collective certified agreement."

AWU Secretary Bill Shorten has hopes the New Year will offer Boeing a new chance to negotiate. To tell Boeing to negotiate a collective contract with the engineers, go to:
http://www.awu.net.au/national/campaigns/boeing/protest_form.html.

You can write to David Gray, Managing Director Boeing Australia at Boeing--Australia, Level 33, Chifley Tower, Chifley Square, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia or call Boeing World Headquarters at 312-544-2000. Write their world headquarters at 100 North Riverside, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

Expiration Date:
Fri, 02/24/2006 - 1:00am